Division of Facilities News
SEPTEMBER 2015
K-State Pride
Fall classes have officially begun. It’s a hope filled day of excitement and K-State pride. As if on cue the morning air has
turned crisp and cool in the Flint Hills surrounding Manhattan Kansas. An unusually wet summer has blessed us with a full tree
canopy and healthy turf grass along with the continued sounds of construction progress.
Out on campus seniors energized by summer internships strategically plan their entrance into the workforce, graduate programs
and community service next spring. Freshmen, having plotted a course for that first class this weekend now arrive early, meet
mentors and make good impressions as they seek paths of discovery, discipline and leadership to follow their entire life.
Friendships are being forged. Future business partners and community leaders will sit next to each other in class, share notes
and form a study group. Helping hands reaching out later in life will approach each other on the sidewalk, say hello then plan
to meet later in the day. A few will meet potential partners and discuss balancing family with career and dream of discovering
the world together. There will be challenges of time management for social schedules, rec center workouts, homework, term
papers, critiques and tests – big time life decisions will be made.
Looking back in 10, 20, 50 years fond memories will mark their steps. Memories set in time and place at K-State are now
framed and inspired by the physical paths and places you help create and maintain for them every day. Yes, we are truly here
because they are here. Additionally, I believe the K-State Family loves this place in large part because of the daily commitment
by the Facilities Team to make it memorable.
It’s a great time to be at K-State and it’s about to get even better as we look ahead to opening some of the premier teaching,
learning and research spaces in the country. Our new Engineering Ph 4, Berney Family Welcome Center and College of
Business Administration will be places of connection and transparency promoting student-to-student, student-to-faculty and
faculty-to-faculty interaction that is second to none in an environment shaped by all of you serving daily on the Facilities Team.
Our new chilled water distribution project has strategically allowed us to accelerate the master plan development functionally as
well as aesthetically by becoming more pedestrian centered in the core of campus. And finally - as we look to kick off a
renovation of both Seaton East and the Union we’ve set a high bar of capital improvement that will benefit campus for years to
come.
As many of you know I’m quickly approaching my second year service anniversary and induction into the K-State Family.
With your help we’ve put some serious points on the board for K-State. Campus feedback is overwhelmingly in support of the
new Customer Service Desk and Maintenance Team approach because of the commitment you make to its continued success.
It’s also clear that our buildings are strategically planned and coordinated for the full life cycle of possibilities because of the
new cooperative spirit between operations and planning.
There’s a lot more to do and my door is always open for your suggestions. I’ve had the pleasure to visit personally with a
number of you and have learned a great deal about your desire to see K-State be an even better place to come work each day.
I’m often told that a number of our positions don’t keep pace with market hourly rates – in many cases based on what I’ve
experienced I would have to agree. With that in mind you need to know that we are committed to working through these issues
with the newly reorganized division of Human Capital to address funding gaps in hard-to-hire positions and look ahead for
solutions to the anticipated findings of the job analysis questionnaires we all completed.
Thanks to all of you for being part of the Facilities Team.
Go Wildcats!
Ryan Swanson
Associate VP Facilities & University Architect
September Birthdays
1) Charlie Bukacek
12) Gary Johnson
22) Martin Jones
3) Kim Caffrey
13) John Lacy
22) Ruth Rowlands
4) Matt Henry
14) Jeremy Sharp
23) Sharon Slack
7) Alan Stevens
16) Doug Prockish
25) Allen Massey
7) Maria Lomibao
16) John Hofmann
25) Jerry Rogers
8) Casey Lauer
17) Rose Hamilton
25) Marvin Heck
9) Jimmy Sester
17) Paul Savage
26) Jody Barry
10) Bill Glover
18) Craig McConkey
26) Sandra Hoffman
11) Josh Mackay
18) Betty Slattery
29) Alan Brown
11) Skip Davis
18) Elke Warkentine
29) Al Seely
11) Jay Gilmore
22) Chad Starr
29) Evans Pittman
Thank You Letter
From Lynn Ewanow
I am writing to let you know that Mr. Gerry Negron and his crew, Lori, Susan, Wanda, Clifton, Gloria and Ricky, did a superb
job preparing the first year studios for the fall semester. While nothing in Seaton is “ordinary” in terms of caring for the
building, the preparations for this academic year were extraordinary as the current spaces had to be completely vacated before
the preparations for the new occupants (the first year students in the College of Architecture, Planning and Design) could take
place. While some of the work was accomplished early in the summer, there were still changes being made to the spaces up to
one week before classes started which the crew had to work around to stay on schedule. Which, of course, they did!
Throughout the summer, everyone displayed the utmost professionalism, attention to detail, patience, diligence and humor as
they worked to prepare the spaces for our students and faculty. They also communicated, very well, with my colleagues, and
with me, throughout the process. The studios were prepared to a high order and ready for our students for the ENVD Welcome
which was held on Sunday, August 23rd. There were approximately 180 new students and 50 returning students who held
meetings in the studios that day. On Monday, nine faculty and 180 students started classes on the west wing. They are most
appreciative of the well organized and very clean spaces.
I value the contributions made by Gerry, Lori, Susan, Wanda, Clifton, Gloria and Ricky to our Day of Welcome and to the first
days of class on the third floor of the west wing of Seaton Hall as well the daily care they provide.
Sincerely,
Lynn Ewanow
New Hires
Welcome to the Facilities Team!
August 10, 2015
Parker Dean was hired as an Electrician Senior. He is working for Galen Hageman in Zone 4.
August 17, 2015
Timothy Colston Jr. was hired as a Welder. He is working for Larry McCoy in the Construction
Shop.
Spencer Slocum was hired as a G.M.R.T. Senior. He is working for Travis Homeier in Zone 1.
Cody Smith was hired as an Administrative Specialist. She is working for Loleta Sump in the
Customer Service Desk.
About Me…
Joy Knutson is an Accountant I at the Customer Service Desk. She has worked for K-State for nine
and a half years. She likes that K-State has a sense of community. At work she likes the fact that she
learns something new every day and that it is very rewarding. Joy’s favorite project or work order to
complete at her job is any that shows that the Facilities department has a great staff. Her hometown
is Leeville, Louisiana. Her favorite foods are crawfish or fajitas. She really enjoys camping, games,
skeet shooting, and watersports. When asked what her favorite vacation spot is she said the Cayman
Islands. She thinks that many people might be surprised to learn that she has been an ordained
reverend for 17 years. Joy is currently reading Journeys magazine and her favorite websites are
Sephora and Pinterest.
Larry McGee is the Director of Administration and Finance, which includes Employee Services,
Finance, Procurement, Training & Safety, Motor Pool, and the Garage. He has worked for K-State
for three years and about four months. Larry’s hometown is Smith Center, Kansas, however he
would call Manhattan his hometown because he has lived here more than half his life. When
asked what his favorite food is, he said, “Calories and Carbohydrates.” He really enjoys chasing
his grandkids around and watching them play football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and track. The
most unique place that he has visited is Checkpoint Charlie in East Berlin. The thing he likes most
about K-State is the main campus and its historical beauty. He thinks that people would be
surprised to know that he loves music. When asked what he is reading currently, he said, “I usually read the back of my eyelids
about 10:00 pm every evening.” Larry’s favorite website is att.net because it includes email, news, sports, entertainment, and
games.